Rear Main Seal?
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TECH Enthusiast
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 653
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From: Fredericksburg, VA
Rear Main Seal? So, I found an oil leak, but its only about a teaspoon per night when it's parked. Here's the problem though, its coming from between the bell housing and the transmission (T56). Now I know theres not supposed to be oil in the bell housing, so I'm guessing its the rear main, but I do have a few questions.
1) Is there something else that could be leaking into the bell housing? (I want to make sure I get all the parts so whatever I find is leaking when I get in there, I have the parts ready to install)
2) How much oil would likely build up in the bell housing before it would actually leak out between the bell and the tranny?
3) Any chance this could be hydraulic fluid from the Slave? (I've only got about 10K on the slave)
4) Should I avoid racing the car untill I get the oil leak fixed?
5) Does anyone know where I can find a rear main seal installation walk through with pictures?
FYI - I have 104,000 Miles on the car and it routinely (2-3 times/month) sees over 130mph (3100 rpm - sustained for about 20-30 mins) on the autobahn here in Germany. It used about 1 qt every 3000 miles (before the leak) depending on how much highspeed driving I did, but no white smoke, not even on cold starts (probably needs a catch can). Oil pressure is right around 40 at idle and I'm running Royal Purple 5w-30. Motor is stock and only a few bolt-ons (lid, K&N, FRAM, cat back, ASP Pulley).
Any help would be really appreciated I've tried searching but can't seem to find the same problem.
Thanks in advance!
1) Is there something else that could be leaking into the bell housing? (I want to make sure I get all the parts so whatever I find is leaking when I get in there, I have the parts ready to install)
2) How much oil would likely build up in the bell housing before it would actually leak out between the bell and the tranny?
3) Any chance this could be hydraulic fluid from the Slave? (I've only got about 10K on the slave)
4) Should I avoid racing the car untill I get the oil leak fixed?
5) Does anyone know where I can find a rear main seal installation walk through with pictures?
FYI - I have 104,000 Miles on the car and it routinely (2-3 times/month) sees over 130mph (3100 rpm - sustained for about 20-30 mins) on the autobahn here in Germany. It used about 1 qt every 3000 miles (before the leak) depending on how much highspeed driving I did, but no white smoke, not even on cold starts (probably needs a catch can). Oil pressure is right around 40 at idle and I'm running Royal Purple 5w-30. Motor is stock and only a few bolt-ons (lid, K&N, FRAM, cat back, ASP Pulley).
Any help would be really appreciated I've tried searching but can't seem to find the same problem.
Thanks in advance!
11 Second Club
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse In
Rear main or rear of the oil pan seal, Mine was leaking there and it was the back of the oil pan, I wouldn't race it, When the rear main went in my 89 Silverodo I lost pressure did you? I didn' when I was leaking though my pan. I know nothing about manual trannys
If the rear main is leaking then you shouldn't even drive it until you get it fixed. The reason I say this is if you get oil on your clutch disk it's gone. Get the seal fixed now or you'll be the next guy asking what clutch is best.
